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The Saskatchewan First Nation wants more information, including potential environmental impacts, as Bell Canada continues construction of an AI data center outside Regina.
Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation at Fort Qu’appelle, Sask., wrote to Bell Canada and Bell Canada Enterprises, or BCE Inc., Oct. 2.
They asked the company to allow the state to make its own assessment of the AI data center project being built at the RM of Sherwood.
The letter was copied by provincial and federal officials, including Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Premier Mark Carney.
The nationwide process will involve Bell applying for and obtaining a permit, as well as meeting with an Elders oversight committee, its chairman said.
“This data center will impact traditional territories,” Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation Chief Rodger Redman told Global News in an interview.
“Our problem is that we haven’t even addressed it yet. But these projects are already underway. That’s what I’m saying — that this problem has to be addressed.”
The letter states that the Sherwood data center is being built on traditional Dakota territory where it has never been before.
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Therefore, the country is seeking documents, including basic ecological and cultural studies, in addition to an assessment of expected impacts across all stages of the project.
“Industry and government, along with other companies, will move to the next area. We have to stay here,” said Redman.
“Nothing will grow in this area. Farmers will not be able to grow crops. Our society will not be able to survive, providing food from animals because they will be contaminated.
“(It’s) the whole issue of byproducts coming from these data centers – what’s going to happen to that?”
Bell Canada previously said the center would be run on an air-cooled heat rejection system to reduce the amount of water used for normal operations.
The coolant will be trucked in and added to the system, and will remain there until it needs to be replaced Bell website.
Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation requested more information about the system. Namely, they want engineering specifications, details about how the system will be maintained and how water will be disposed of, if necessary, according to the letter.
“When we talk about sustainability and the future, it’s not just about handling and making huge amounts of money. Because when you pollute the land, the water, the air, all the living things that exist around the region, the economy will change. Health care will change,” Redman said.
Bell was also asked to provide an estimated schedule for replacing equipment at the facility. The state letter asked the companies for details on how equipment would be determined to be ready for disposal, rather than repair or refurbishment to extend its useful life.
“I don’t really want to leave behind a pile of toxic waste for my grandchildren. I don’t think anyone would want to leave that behind. So, we need to do our due diligence in looking at the impacts of a project of this magnitude and what it means,” Redman added.
The letter concludes by asking Bell to engage with the Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation or to provide the requested documentation within 30 days.
In an emailed statement to Global News, Bell Canada said it is “committed to ongoing and meaningful engagement with local communities, including First Nations” as it continues to develop AI infrastructure.
“The Bell AI Fabric project was developed in accordance with all applicable environmental regulations and requirements, and we will continue to provide relevant information about potential impacts through appropriate processes,” the company statement continued.
Global News reached out to the Saskatchewan government for comment, but none had been received at the time of publication.
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
